NAWABSHAH, Feb 14: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro has demanded that the issue of Balochistan be resolved politically.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, he said the MMA had invited the ARD for a joint struggle against Gen Musharraf holding the presidency together with the post of chief of army staff, but the ARD did not respond positively.

He alleged that the ARD did not respond because Asif Ali Zardari had been released from jail and allowed to go abroad. He said if Benazir Bhutto was allowed safe return, the PPP would accept Gen Musharraf as president-for-life.

He said the MMA was against any army operation in Balochistan and the issue must be solved in a political way. He said that the people of Balochistan had rejected Nawabs, Tumandars and Sardars.

He said the MMA was against the construction of Kalabagh dam and the people of Sindh and NWFP should form a joint strategy to get their rights. He said the centre should transfer all other subjects to provinces except defence, foreign affairs, currency and communications. He said the MMA would participate in local bodies elections all over the country.

SRC: The Shia Rabita Council has warned of protest against the Taluka Municipal Administration on Muharram 7 if their demands were not accepted. Syed Afzal Zaidi of the Shia Rabita Council told reporters that the TMA had failed to start cleaning of city during Muharram and there was darkness everywhere in the town.